Dean Whitehead could cost Stoke up to �5 million from Sunderland

Dean Whitehead will miss Stoke City's trip to Arsenal on Saturday after picking up his fifth booking of the season in the 0-0 draw at Blackburn.

"It's disappointing, but being right in the thick of things, you're going to pick up bookings," the former Sunderland man told BBC Radio Stoke.

"We've got a squad that's really good at the moment so it's no problem.

"They've got a lot of talented players and we're going to have to work on it this week to see how we can stop them."

Whitehead spurned two opportunities to win the game for the Potters at Blackburn on Saturday, including a one-on-one chance that was saved by Rovers goalkeeper Paul Robinson.

"He (Robinson) showed me the corner to make me play it there, which I did and he saved it," added Whitehead.

"I'm more disappointed with the one in the second half, when Ricardo Fuller cut it back and I've took it off Matthew Etherington's foot.

"We'll keep getting in the box, keep creating chances, and we'll put them away."

Stoke have now lost just one of their last seven matches in the Premier League, following the goalless draw against Blackburn.

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